Inspection-car.



J. STOFA.

INSPECTION CAR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.16, 1914.

1,], O6, 1 64;, Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

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J. STOFA.

INSPECTION GAR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.16,1914.

Patented Aug. 4 1914.

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JOZSEF STOFA, OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS.

INSPECTION-CAR.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Jozser S'rora, of Elgin, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Inspection-Cars, of which the following is a specification.

This invention consists of certain improvements in cars of the above class, the object being to provide means for inclosing the sides and ends of the same, during inclement weather.

The construction of the improved closure devices will be fully described hereinafter, in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of a car, embodying certain features of the present invention; the inclosecl curtain of the same being shown in a raised position. Fig. 2 is a similar View, showing the curtain down. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section, taken on the line y-y of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional detail, taken on the line 00-a2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail, showing the catch or device, for holding the curtain when left down. Fig. 6 is a sectional detail, taken on the line e-z of Fig. 2.

In the drawings 1 refers to a platform of a car; this may be provided with motive power as for instance; an engine consisting of cylinders 2 the drive shaft 3, which has a beveled wheel 1, and operative connections to the wheel 5, on the shafts 6, on which the wheels 7 are mounted. This car may have seats 8, and a central box 9 in which is placed the tank 10 which carries the fuel for the engine.

11, are uprights or posts and 12 is a covermg or roof for the car.

13 is a small shaft, having a key 14. On this shaft is a roller 15 to which is attached the curtain 16. The shaft 13 is mounted to bearings 17 and 18, and 19 are small set collars for keeping the said shaft in its proper position. The bottom of the curtain has a weight or bottom strip 20. 21 is a strip on the car platform, and 22 is a spring catch for engaging the bottom of the curtain, and holding it down when so desired.

23 is a catch, having an armature 24;, and 25 is a magnet from which lead the circuit wires 26 and 27.

28 is a battery and 29 is a button and 30 and 31 are contact points.

32 is a plate or board, on which a series Specification. of Letters Patent.

Application filed Januaiy 16,1914.

Patented Au. 4,1914. Serial No. 812,602.

of buttons 29 are placed. I employ 4 of the curtains 16, one for each side of the car, and when desired I use one or more, or all of the said curtains if necessary. By pressing one of the buttons 29, a curtain may be released; it will immediately drop, and may be held down by the spring catch 22, in case there is a strong wind or the motion of the car will deflect the curtain. In each of the side curtains I place one or more aper tures 35, and cover the same with a flexible transparent sheet of mica or celluloid, the same being held in place by a ring or gasket 27, which may be sewed on by means of thread 38. The whole curtain is thus flexible, but when down occupants of the car may readily see through the small window or apertures 35. It will thus be seen that my invention provides a very useful and novel inc-losing structure for small ears, of the class described.

WVhat I claim is 1. The combination with a car open at its sides and ends, and comprising a floor or platform, a roof, and roof-supporting uprights, of means for closing the ends and sides, consisting of transverse shafts supported in bearings within the ends of the car roof, parallel longitudinal shafts mounted to revolve within the side-portions of the root, flexible curtains secured at their upper ends to said shafts, weighted bars at the lower ends of said curtains, automatic catches secured to said floor and roof for engaging said weighted bars, one end of each of said shafts extending through the car roof and formed with a key projection.

2. The combination with a car normally open at its sides and ends, and comprising a platform, roof, and roof-supporting stand ards, of a pair of transverse shafts each supported at one end in a bracket bearing projecting from the roof, and projecting at its opposite end through a bearing formed in the roof alining with said bracket hearing, flexible curtains secured at their upper ends to said shafts and having flexible transparent portions, weighted bars attached to the lower ends of said curtains, spring catches secured to the car floor to engage said bars, and devices for securing said. curtains in raised position, each consisting of a spring-controlled catch pivotally-seeured to the car roof, an armature on said catch, subscribed my signature, this 29th day of an electro-niagnet for attracting said arma- December A. D. 1913. ture to release the curtain and permit it to unroll by gravity, and an electric circuit including said magnet and a push-button for energizing said magnet.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto J OZSEF STOFA.

In presence of JOSEPHINE VERING, AUGUST SOHOOKE.

Copies of this yatent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

